Stress levels among senior dental students in Saudi Arabia during fixed prosthodontics procedures

AIMS: To investigate self-perceived stress level of senior dental students in Saudi Arabia during different fixed prosthodontics procedures. Also, to explore the possible stress-related factors during each procedure. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A structured, close-ended, and open-ended, anonymous questionnaire was distributed in a website format to senior dental students of 19 dental schools in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Students were asked to rate the level of stress they feel during different fixed prosthodontics procedures on a scale from 0 to 10. They were also asked to rate the adequacy of their preclinical training in these procedures and how many times they have performed each of the procedures clinically. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics were presented in means, percentages, and standard deviation and inferential statistics were performed using One-way ANOVA, independent t-test and Pearson’s correlation. RESULTS: About 423 students answered the questionnaire, in which 228 (54%) were females and 195 (46%) were males. Vital tooth preparation (5.27 ± 2.459) and pos space preparation (5.13 ± 2.766) were rated as the most stressful procedures (P < 0.05). Fear of error or mishaps was the most reported reason for stress during these two procedures. Pearson’s correlation showed significant but weak negative correlation between stress scores and number of times the student has performed the procedure (P < 0.05). Students who believe that they had adequate preclinical training reported significantly lower stress scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Self-perceived stress among dental students is related to the type of procedure they perform in the clinic and how frequent they have been exposed to it during their preclinical training.